The Highest-Paid NBA Players By Season

NBA salaries have become incredibly huge over the years. These are the highest-paid players in the league by season.

The NBA is a special place for a sports fan because it features so much excitement. When you look past the deep three-pointers and fast transition dunks, we often forget this is a business. The NBA is not an adult’s playground. It is a place where professional athletes are asked to display a product. That product is basketball. With more money, the better the product is the theory that most business models would have. Having the highest-paid player on the team does not always mean that is the case, but in a lot of seasons, we have seen that player accomplish some very great achievements.

The highest-paid player has shifted for years. Larry Bird was the first player to make $5 million or more for a salary in 1991-92. Over 30 years later, we are watching Stephen Curry approach the $50 million mark in salary. Curry is going to break the record for most seasons as the highest-paid player in the league very soon. Needless to say, this product is one of the best, and that is why the league is financially strong. If only we had records to look back at the salaries for the older days, we could see where Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Jerry West might have been. Instead, we go back to the first documented NBA salary in 1984-85 and work our way up the highest-paid NBA players by season.

Going back to Magic Johnson, these are the highest-paid players by season.

1984-85 NBA Season - Magic Johnson ($2,500,000)

Stats: 18.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 12.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG

The Los Angeles Lakers had already won two championships, with Johnson winning Two Finals MVP Awards in 1980 and 1982. Johnson has proven that his resume deserved to be the highest-paid athlete. The Lakers would win their third championship of the decade this season. Johnson played his role as the magnificent point guard of the team as Johnson was second in the league in assists, losing the title to Pistons guard Isiah Thomas.

1985-86 NBA Season - Magic Johnson ($2,500,000)

Stats: 18.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 12.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Johnson averaged a double-double again this season and led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. However, the team was unable to defeat the Houston Rockets, losing the series in five games. This time around, Johnson led the league in assists by a vast margin as well. Johnson was the only player to finish with at least 900 assists in the season (907).

1986-87 NBA Season - Magic Johnson ($2,500,000)

Stats: 23.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 12.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The highest-paid player capped the perfect season. Johnson was named the league MVP for his stat line. Then, the Lakers won their fourth championship of the decade, and Johnson won his third Finals MVP during that run. The Lakers won the title in six games, and Johnson averaged 26.2 points, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and shot 54.1% from the field. Johnson won the assists title during the regular season with over 900 total assists.

1987-88 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($2,750,000)

Stats: 20.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.0 BPG

The New York Knicks took care of their superstar. The large market had money to give, and Ewing was viewed as the best player in the world. Ewing was only in his third season in the NBA before jumping to the No. 1 spot in paid players. Ewing had one of his best defensive seasons as he finished third in blocks per game and was second overall to Mark Eaton (304) to total blocks with 245. The Knicks finished with the No. 8 seed and were eliminated in four games in the first round by the Celtics.

1988-89 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($3,250,000)

Stats: 22.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.5 BPG

The Knicks played better overall basketball this season behind Ewing. The star center made the All-NBA Second Team and recorded an All-Defensive Team appearance after averaging 3.5 blocks per game. Ewing finished third again in blocks per game but was fourth in total blocks. The Knicks won the Atlantic Division and owned the second-best record in the Eastern Conference but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs to the Chicago Bulls 4-2.

1989-90 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($3,725,000)

Stats: 28.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 4.0 BPG

This was easily the best season of Ewing’s production up to date. This season would ultimately be the best year for Ewing’s scoring after averaging a career-high in points and blocks. Ewing finished third in the scoring race, fifth in rebounds, and second in blocks. The only player to average more blocks was Hakeem Olajuwon (4.6). The Knicks stumbled to a 45-37 record and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team was eliminated in the playoffs 4-1 by the Pistons in the second round.

1990-91 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($4,250,000)

Stats: 26.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.2 BPG

Ewing was the only player paid over $4 million this season, and he lived up to the contract. Ewing finished fifth in the scoring race but owned the third-most points. His rebounding once again was a top-5 finish, and he kept pace for blocks for third place, while his 258 total blocks were second-most in the NBA. The Knicks were the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Bulls.

1991-92 NBA Season - Larry Bird ($7,070,000)

Stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG

This would be the final season of Bird’s career. After the wear and tear of the 80s, Bird’s back began to decline, but he still finished with a successful season. With three MVP Awards and three championships during the 80s, nobody was going to argue that Bird deserved to be the highest-paid player at least once in his career. Bird played in 45 games but helped the team win the Atlantic Division. However, the team was defeated in seven games in the first round by the Cavaliers.

1992-93 NBA Season - David Robinson ($5,720,000)

Stats: 23.4 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.2 BPG

Robinson was the only player paid over $5 million this season. He was also the highest-paid player by $1.7 million over Michael Jordan. After coming off one of his best defensive seasons with 4.5 blocks per game, Robinson had another successful defensive season to finish fifth. The Spurs finished with the No. 5 seed in the West and were eliminated in the second round to the Suns 4-2.

1993-94 NBA Season - David Robinson ($5,740,000)

Stats: 29.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.2 BPG

The most money meant the most points this season. Robinson won the scoring title by nearly scoring the most points per game, which helped Robinson’s case for finishing second in the MVP Award voting. Defensively, Robinson was third in blocks. Robinson and Buck Williams were the only players paid over $5 million this season, but the Spurs were indeed happier to have Robinson on their side. The Spurs won 55 games but were the No. 4 seed and then were upset in the playoffs 3-1 by the Jazz in the first round.

1994-95 NBA Season - Magic Johnson ($14,660,000)

Stats: None

Should another player be awarded this honor, sure? Robinson was the second-highest-paid player at $7.3 million and won the league MVP Award. Johnson’s contract would have been worth $29.3 million in the modern time, and he didn’t play a single minute. Johnson came back the following year, but this was also fine. Johnson was forced to retire early due to an HIV diagnosis but led the Lakers to five championships during the 80s. Call this a luxury tax, but Johnson earned his money.

1995-96 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($18,724,000)

Stats: 22.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.4 BPG

Ewing wasn’t just the highest-paid player in the league, but he was almost $10 million higher than Clyde Drexler’s $9.8 million. Ewing’s contract would have been worth $36.3 million today. The Knicks didn’t have a lot to show for it either. Ewing didn’t finish in the top five in points, rebounds, or blocks. The Knicks were the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and were defeated by the Bulls in the second round in five games.

1996-97 NBA Season - Michael Jordan ($30,140,000)

Stats: 29.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG

This was the first appearance of Jordan being the highest-paid player. Think about what he did in the past and where he ranked on the salary pay. It’s wild that a four-time champion had not made it to this point. Players with a $50 million salary are something we are starting to see, and it’s 2023. Jordan’s contract would have been worth $56.9 million in today’s era, and it was 1996-97. Jordan was probably the best player in the league at this time but lost the MVP Award to Karl Malone. Jordan instead won the scoring title and then defeated Malone in the NBA Finals to take Finals MVP and the fifth championship of his career.

1997-98 NBA Season - Michael Jordan ($33,140,000)

Stats: 28.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Jordan once again had a ridiculously high salary for his time. Ewing was the second-highest-paid player at $20.5 million. Meanwhile, Jordan’s contract would have been worth $61.2 million today. Jordan backed up the large investment, though. Jordan won the scoring title and the league MVP Award. Then, he led the Bulls to their sixth title of the 90s, including his sixth Finals MVP Award. Money can be said to buy championships, and this contract was worth every penny after the Bulls finished with their second three-peat of the decade.

1998-99 NBA Season - Patrick Ewing ($18,500,000)

Stats: 17.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.6 BPG

Ewing remained a strong defensive player, but his overall scoring took a toll with age. Ewing made $3.5 million more than Shaquille O’Neal, who was coming up as the best player in the NBA. The Knicks were 27-23 in the lockout-shortened season to finish with the No. 8 seed in the East. The team made one of the most improbable runs ever as the eighth-seeded Knicks played their way to the NBA Finals. The team remains the only eighth seed to ever make the NBA Finals. The Spurs ultimately won the title 4-1.

1999-00 NBA Season - Shaquille O’Neal ($17,142,000)

Stats: 29.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 3.0 BPG

Hungry for a championship, O’Neal lived up to the highest-paid player as being the best player. O’Neal won the MVP Award after leading the league in scoring, scored the most points by over 200 total points, finished second in the rebounding race, and third in blocks. O’Neal then led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where he helped the team win the championship. O’Neal was also named Finals MVP after averaging 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in a six-game win over the Pacers. He did all of this while making just about $1 million more than Kevin Garnett.

2000-01 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($19,600,000)

Stats: 22.0 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.8 BPG

Speaking of Garnett, the Timberwolves made Garnett the highest-paid player for many years during this decade. Garnett just beat out Shaq for the title of the highest-paid player by making around $350,000 more. Garnett finished fifth in rebounds, but that was about it for accolades. The Timberwolves won 47 games and were the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The Spurs made quick work of the team with a 3-1 first-round win. Meanwhile, Shaq won his second straight championship and Finals MVP Award.

2001-02 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($22,400,000)

Stats: 21.2 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.6 BPG

Garnett just clipped O’Neal for the highest-paid player again by around $1 million. Garnett was a top rebounder in the league, finishing third. Garnett missed 1,000 total rebounds by 19 boards. The Timberwolves won 50 games and improved to the No. 5 seed but were swept by the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. Again, Shaq was over with the Lakers winning his third straight championship and Finals MVP Award.

2002-03 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($25,200,000)

Stats: 23.0 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.6 BPG

Four players made over $20 million this season, with Garnett besting Shaq by nearly $2 million in salary. Garnett finished second in rebounding to Ben Wallace, where he trailed Wallace by 24 total rebounds by the season’s end. Garnett remained an All-Star again, but this time won the All-Star Game MVP Award and was the runner-up in MVP voting to Tim Duncan for his stellar play. However, O’Neal once again reigned supreme as his Lakers beat the Timberwolves 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs.

2003-04 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($28,000,000)

Stats: 24.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.2 BPG

Garnett made about $3.3 million more than runner-up Shaq, but nobody could question his greatness by the season’s end. Garnett lost the scoring title to Tracy McGrady (28.0 PPG), but Garnett scored the most points (1,987) in the league. Garnett also won the rebounding title and led the Timberwolves to 58 wins with the No. 1 seed in their grasp. The team went all the way to the Conference Finals before losing to the Lakers in six games.

2004-05 NBA Season - Shaquille O’Neal ($27,696,430)

Stats: 22.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG

O’Neal was the only player paid over $20 million for the season and was the highest-paid player by a large margin. Dikembe Mutombo came in second place with $19.4 million attached to his salary. O’Neal’s salary would have been around $43.2 million in today’s league. O’Neal did a little bit of everything and finished fourth in total blocks. This was his first season with the Heat since being traded by the Lakers. The Heat made the Conference Finals but was defeated by the Pistons.

2005-06 NBA Season - Shaquille O’Neal ($20,000,000)

Stats: 20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.8 BPG

O’Neal was the only player paid at least $20 million for the season, and he was living the dream this year. Not only was he the highest-paid player in the league, but he was able to enjoy a championship run with the Heat. O’Neal watched his former teammate Kobe Bryant win the scoring title, but it was O’Neal that had Finals MVP winner Dwyane Wade lead his franchise to their first title in team history. For O’Neal, this was his fourth title and a major ego boost.

2006-07 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($21,000,000)

Stats: 22.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.7 BPG

O’Neal made another $20 million, but Garnett just clipped O’Neal for the highest-paid player title by $1 million. Garnett won the rebounding title and remained an All-Star in the league but was growing tired of the team’s past failures. The Timberwolves were 32-50 and the No. 13 seed. It was the third year in a row that the team missed the playoffs, which resulted in Garnett asking for a trade.

2007-08 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($23,751,934)

Stats: 18.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG

In the offseason, Garnett was traded to the Celtics for the largest package of players in NBA history. With the addition of Garnett and Ray Allen, a big three with Paul Pierce was formed. The team rode their three All-Stars to the NBA Finals with a win over Kobe Bryant’s Lakers. Garnett was the Defensive Player of the Year and made a strong case for being the team’s Finals MVP winner, which was eventually awarded to Pierce.

2008-09 NBA Season - Kevin Garnett ($24,751,934)

Stats: 15.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.2 BPG

It was the last time we saw Garnett pay the most money after a long run. Garnett made over $3 million more than Jermaine O’Neal to claim the title. Garnett had another All-Star season that included leaving the team with a 27-2 record to start the season, which was the best start in 29 games since the 1996-67 76ers. With 62 wins, it was the fifth-best record in team history. However, Garnett sustained a season-ending injury in February and had to watch the Celtics lose to the Magic in seven games in the second round of the playoffs.

2009-10 NBA Season - Tracy McGrady (23,239,562)

Stats: 8.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG

This was a rough season for McGrady. He was coming off season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and left knee. McGrady played six games with the Rockets before he was traded to the Knicks in a three-team deal. His best game was a 26-point effort to the Thunder. He would average 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant made $200,000 less to just miss this title but would win the NBA title and Finals MVP Award with the Lakers.

2010-11 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($24,806,250)

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

After winning two titles in three seasons, Bryant began a journey of leading the league in money for six consecutive years. Bryant remained a lethal scorer this season, finishing third in total points and fifth in the scoring race. Bryant was the only player paid more than $20 million for the season and led the Lakers to the No. 2 seed in the West with 57 wins. The Lakers were swept by the Mavericks in the second round, though, negating their chance of conquering a three-peat.

2011-12 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($25,244,493)

Stats: 27.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

The lockout-shortened season didn’t stop Bryant from putting up a fight in the scoring race. Bryant finished second to Durant in the scoring title but led the Lakers to another Pacific division title and the No. 3 seed. Bryant was one of five players paid at least $20 million for the season but was the only player paid over $25 million. The Lakers made another run to the second round but were defeated by the Thunder in the second round.

2012-13 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($30,453,805)

Stats: 27.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Four players made over $20 million, with Brandon Roy ($21.4 million) finishing behind Bryant in the salary scales. The Lakers were all Hollywood this year, with Dwight Howard and Steve Nash added to the team, with Bryant leading the league in money. The season was anything the way the team hoped it would be as the Lakers stumbled to the No. 7 seed. Distractions with Mike Brown being fired, Mike D’Antoni, being brought in, rotational issues with the players, and then Bryant’s eventually torn Achilles tendon ruined what could have been a special season if the pieces worked.

2013-14 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($30,453,805)

Stats: 13.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Bryant was anything but himself this season due to injuries. Bryant missed the first 19 games due to recovering from his torn Achilles. Then, he suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee. Ultimately, Bryant played six games this season, not what you would have wanted from your $30-million paid player. The Lakers suffered without him, finishing 27-55 and 14th in the standings. Ultimately, it was a rough financial season for a lot of teams as Dirk Nowitzki, Gilbert Arenas, and Amare Stoudemire rounded out the top four.

2014-15 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($23,500,000)

Stats: 22.3 PG, 5.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The previous season, Bryant signed a two-year, $48 million contract extension with the Lakers. While Bryant was the highest-paid player, the Lakers embarked on two of their worst seasons ever. The Lakers failed to land Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in the offseason due to money constraints. Then, the team finished 21-61 and 14th in the conference standings. Bryant also underwent season-ending surgery on his rotator cuff tear in January.

2015-16 NBA Season - Kobe Bryant ($25,000,000)

Stats: 17.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The Lakers set a franchise record for losses with a 17-65 record. The team was 15th in the conference, and the only saving grace was that this was Bryant’s farewell tour. The standing ovations and celebrations detoured the fact that the Lakers were terrible. LeBron James made $2 million less than Bryant this season and led the Cavaliers to the improbable 3-1 comeback victory in the NBA Finals to give Cleveland their first championship ever.

2016-17 NBA Season - LeBron James ($30,963,450)

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

This was one of the greatest seasons of LeBron’s time. It’s hard to believe at this point, the three-time champion and four-time MVP had never led the league in money before. That was partial because he took less money to help build championship teams. In his first appearance, James was fifth in total assists and gave the league his typical strong scoring, rebounding, and playmaking stat line. The Cavaliers made the NBA Finals for the third year in a row but lost to the Warriors. With that said, LeBron averaged 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in five games. It was the first time a player averaged a triple-double in the Finals.

2017-18 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($34,682,550)

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG

At this point, Curry was a two-time MVP and two-time champion, and was closing in on being the greatest three-point shooter ever. Curry went from the kid out of Davidson making about $2 million to being the league’s most renowned player. Curry beat out LeBron by about $1.4 million in salary. With Paul Millsap, he was one of three players making over $30 million for the season. Curry dealt with an MCL sprain that kept him out for six weeks, but he came back to help the playoffs to help the Warriors sweep the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. With teammate Kevin Durant winning the Finals MVP Award, the Warriors were basking in their riches as champions.

2018-19 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($37,457,154)

Stats: 27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Curry was now a three-time champion and in search of winning his fourth title and his first Finals MVP after watching Durant and Andre Iguodala each win during their four-year run to the Finals. The Warriors won 57 games and were the No. 1 seed, and looked like the team was going to cap off a three-peat. Curry was making a league-leading 5.1 three-pointers a game, while the rest of the cast was tough to beat. Instead, the Raptors upset the Warriors in the NBA Finals in six games as Curry had to watch teammates Klay Thompson and Durant go down with injuries. Financially speaking, this era began to see the rise of $30 million salaries for players, while Curry made about $2 million more than runner-up Russell Westbrook.

2019-20 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($40,231,758)

Stats: 20.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The salary did not match the production for this season. Curry was the only player in the league making more than $40 million. Chris Paul and Westbrook were right behind with $38 million salaries, but a broken wrist limited Curry to five games this season. The Warriors lost Durant to free agency, Thompson to a season-ending injury, and Curry was limited to a handful of games. The team won 15 games and claimed the No. 2 pick in the draft.

2020-21 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($43,006,362)

Stats: 32.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

With Thompson out for a second season, Curry rose to his old heights of MVP form. Curry won the scoring title and became the all-time leading scorer in franchise history in the same year. Curry was one of six players to make over $40 million this season and made about $1.7 million more than runner-up Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. Behind Curry’s magical play, the Warriors claimed the No. 8 seed but missed the playoffs when losing to the Grizzlies in the play-in tournament.

2021-22 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($45,780,966)

Stats: 25.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Six players made at least $40 million this season, but Curry made about $1.4 million more than James Harden and John Wall to be the highest-paid player once again. It was a perfect season for Curry, as he accomplished multiple things. For starters, Curry passed Ray Allen for the most 3-point field goals in NBA history. Curry also became the first player to surpass 500 three-pointers in the playoffs. The Warriors won 53 games and qualified for the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight years. Curry won his fourth title and his first Finals MVP Award after averaging 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in six games.

2022-23 NBA Season - Stephen Curry ($48,070,014)

Stats: 28.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Curry is approaching the $50 million salary mark and will be the first player to earn that salary next season. Curry is making just $700,000 more than John Wall, $1 million more than Russell Westbrook, and about $4 million more than both LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Out of all of these contracts, who would you say is the most deserving? For now, the Warriors are battling for playoff position after a slow start to the season. With a 21-22 record, the team owns the No. 8 seed in the conference.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Bantay Pinas